International Trade Administration’s Office of Asia Internship Experience

International Trade Administration’s Office of Asia Internship Experience

The International Trade Administration’s (ITA’s) mission is to create prosperity by strengthening the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. As trusted intermediaries with extensive public and private sector contacts, credibility and influence in foreign markets, ITA effectively assists U.S. businesses and partners in entering and expanding international markets, addressing barriers to accessing foreign markets, winning foreign government procurements, and attracting inward investment. ITA is part of a global network of 106 domestic offices and 121 international offices in 79 markets across the globe.

The Office of Asia unit at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration or ITA is seeking an unpaid intern to support it's strategic communications, including social media, on a full-time basis. In the Office of Asia, you would be working with colleagues based in three sub-offices (Office of East Asia and Oceania, Office of Southeast Asia, and Office of South Asia), and working directly under the Office of Multilateral and Strategic Initiatives in our headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

What can you expect from this internship?

Housed in ITA’s Office of Asia unit, the Office of Multilateral and Strategic Initiatives is responsible for transversal issues that do not fall naturally to the other sub-regional offices within the Office of Asia. Specifically, the Office is responsible for:

• Strategic Communications: 
  • Ensuring a dynamic web presence and offering market intelligence across the region
  • Compiling best practices in amplifying both digital content and traditional programing through multichannel marketing efforts (speeches, press statements, social media)
  • Leveraging GM Asia’s official LinkedIn account to create messaging on Administration, Department, and agency priorities, activities, and engagements
• Strategic Engagement:
  • Strategizing how the Office of Asia can extend its reach to U.S. businesses interested in exporting to Asia, especially historically underserved populations, including women and minority-owned businesses
  • Bring greater coherence to DAS-level engagements by establishing Standard Operating Procedures, briefing paper templates, and other relevant guidance to provide consistency in how the DAS is messaging to external audiences

Additional job responsibilities vary by staff assignment but include:

• Develop and implement social media strategies
• Write social media posts
• Create engaging marketing materials and images for internal and external stakeholders
• Update web content
• Provide input on digital content and content marketing
• Conduct research on international trade trends, stakeholders, social media trends

Desired candidates will demonstrate personal motivation, resourcefulness, initiative, and professionalism. A relevant major (Communications, Marketing, International Relations etc.) is preferred but not required. Experience with LinkedIn is a plus. In addition to the above, strong candidates will possess problem-solving and analytical skills as well as excellent written and communication skills.

Though the internship is unpaid, the valuable experience gained during the program can prove to be very beneficial in the future, especially if the intern is interested in working for the federal government. Please note that this position will have a hybrid work schedule (i.e. teleworking from home as needed and working in the office), but will be required to be located in Washington, DC. Travel benefits for metro use will also be provided.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizen
• Available for full-time work (40 hours/week)
• Currently enrolled student at least half-time pursuing a bachelor’s or graduate degree during the entire duration of the internship

If you are a student interested in pursuing an internship with us and meet the eligibility requirements, please email your resume and cover letter to John Seo (john.seo@trade.gov).